Distracted Driving/Motor Vehicle Act Change in B.C.
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010| A new fine in the amount of $167 will begin to be levied on Feb. 1, 2010. If drivers are caught texting or emailing they will receive an additional three penalty points. Further, drivers in the Graduated License Program (GLP) will receive the $167 fine and three penalty points for any violation of this legislation. |
- Prohibited actions and devices:
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- No operating or holding hand-held cellphones or other electronic devices.
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- No sending or reading emails and/or texting (e.g. BlackBerry, PDA, cellphone).
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- No operating or holding hand-held music or portable gaming devices (e.g. MP3 players, iPods).
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- No manual programming or adjusting GPS systems, whether built into the vehicle or not, while driving. Settings must be programmed before driving.
- Permitted actions and devices:
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- Hands-free cellphones that are built in or securely fixed to the vehicle, and used by pressing a single button – once only – in order to activate a hands-free device for incoming and outgoing calls.
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- Pre-programmed and voice-activiated GPS devices.
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- Two-way radios for industry (e.g. trucking, logging, oil and gas).
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- Any of the above devices can be used if the vehicle is legally parked and not impeding traffic.
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- Call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.
- Graduated License Drivers (GLP)
In addition to the above restrictions and permitted actions, new drivers are prohibited from using hands-free communications devices, (e.g. cellphones) while driving.
Exemptions to the legislation include police, fire and ambulance personnel who may need to make calls in the performance of their duties, and motorists who need to call 9-1-1.
Find permitted devices at: http://store.communicationproducts.ca
Suggested Products:
 Jabra CRUISER |
 Jabra Voyager PRO |
 Plantronics Discovery 975 |
